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TORONTO – Shaw Communications is proposing a set of guidelines designed to ensure consumers get the most out of their cable or satellite services as part of its submission to Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission’s Let’s Talk TV proceeding.

Among Shaw’s proposed guidelines – consumers would not be forced to purchase high-cost services, like sports, as part of their basic package.

Shaw, the parent company of Globalnews.ca, made their submission as the CRTC wrapped up a formal interventions process on Friday, part of its public consultations on the future of Canadian broadcasting.

Although the public consultations were designed to look at various aspects of TV broadcasting, much of the focus has been on the so-called pick-and-pay models for cable television.

“These guidelines respond to the Commission’s and the Government’s desire for more choice and flexibility for Canadians and could take effect immediately as a policy framework that provides the Commission and industry with the means to oversee market conduct,” says Peter Bissonnette, President of Shaw Communications.

The deadline for submissions was 8 p.m. ET on Friday.

As part of its submission to the CRTC, Bell wants to allow local TV stations to be reclassified as “local specialty services.”

Bell, which is owned by telecommunications giant BCE Inc., says the move would allow stations to charge broadcast distributors wholesale rates subject to current must-carry rules.